Matthew Kenslow walks into school assemblies across Orange County, California, with a deck of cards, a bottle, and a set of juggling balls. But he’s not there to simply entertain. The substitute teacher and math tutor has built a unique approach to advocating for autism awareness and neurodiversity that combines sleight-of-hand with serious lessons about mental health and inclusion.
His presentation includes a card trick where red writing reading “I Can’t” transforms to green writing saying “I can” in seconds—a visual demonstration of how quickly mindsets can shift. When he juggles for students, it’s not just a brain break. “I give my juggling analogy about not giving up, even if things drop in life,” Kenslow explains in his materials.
From Student Teacher to Published Author
Kenslow’s journey hasn’t been typical. In January 2023, he earned a single-subject credential in mathematics after three demanding semesters that included 602.5 hours of student teaching. By December 2023, his second book “Unstoppable” was published, documenting his experiences as a student teacher in Enhanced Mathematics and his work as a substitute teacher in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District—all while navigating life as an autistic adult.
He completed his Master of Arts Degree in Education in May 2024, adding to credentials that now support both his teaching work and his broader mission as a speaker and content creator focused on disability and education topics.
Magic as Metaphor
Each of Kenslow’s tricks carries deliberate meaning. He creates a cloud in a bottle to simulate what holding in pain feels like, then releases it—a physical reminder to students that they should find someone they trust rather than bottling up emotions. In another bit, he makes an entire deck of cards vanish except for one, leaving a single card to represent what isolation feels like before teaching students about inclusion and teamwork.
“If you meet one Autistic, you haven’t met all Autistics,” Kenslow says, emphasizing that everyone has their own story. His approach reflects this philosophy, mixing science demonstrations, magic, and personal narrative in ways that break what he calls “the monotony” of traditional assemblies.
Looking Ahead
Kenslow’s goals extend well beyond Orange County. He envisions appearing in schools throughout the region while launching a full-time math teaching career, continuing his tutoring work, and expanding his volunteer efforts. He’s also setting his sights on national and international news programs to amplify his message about kindness, anti-ableism, and the inherent worth of every person.
His target is ambitious: reaching one million followers on social media, which he points out would still represent just a fraction of people who might benefit from hearing that they have purpose. For now, he continues his work as an independent educator, author, and advocate for neurodiversity, one card trick and one classroom at a time.
